It would be difficult and to some extent not relevant also, to pin point every achievement of a social
organization of the stature of Ahmedabad Kerala Samajam. However, our elders who spent a lot of their time and energy for Samajam; for the welfare and well being of Malayalees in Ahmedabad did succeed in their relentless efforts, as
summarized below :
In an effort to reach out to the Malayalees spread over different localities, a system
of Wards was involved and by 1980 Wards like Asarwa, Jamalpur, Jivraj Park, Maninagar, Naranpura, Naroda, Navrangpura, Nirnay Nagar, Shahpur, Vatva etc. were established. Many of these wards could raise enough funds to have their own office buildings, too.
Libraries started functioning from many Wards; from the office premises of Wards having an office or from the residence of any one the office bearers of the Ward giving up-to date information and reading pleasure in a time when modern electronic media were not heard of.
Conducted cultural programs, staged social Dramas, organised dances and music programs etc. on a regular basis to encourage budding talents amongst the members.
Other performing troupes were also brought in from Kerala in order to provide entertainment and also to raise funds for Samajam, and some of the samajam wards are regularly conducting malayalam classes during vacation periods.
Inter-ward Competitions were held in a big way, in Football, Volley ball, Cricket etc along with athletic events and indoor games to nurture the aptitude for Sports amongst the members.
Honored, visiting Malayalee team members/dignitaries in the fields of Literature, Culture, Sports etc. from time to time, providing opportunity for interaction between the relevant groups here.
Under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Jacob Mathews as President of the Samajam, from 1998, the following innovative fund raising activities were carried out:
Distribution of better quality school note books to Malayalee students at a concessional rate compared to market prices.
Enrollment of members as Policy holders of Group Janata Personal Accident Insurance scheme, giving them coverage of Rs.1,00,000/- for 3 years at a premium of Rs.100/-. A total number of 1076 members came forward to avail of this mutually beneficial scheme.
In an effort to recognize the academically bright Malayalee students, Samajam is giving Merit Certificates and Cash Awards, to toppers of SSC and HSC examination, from the year 1996.
For the first time, Samajam took cognizance of the extra-ordinary achievements by individual members in the areas of Culture, Arts, Literature, Sports and Social Work. To begin with Samajam honoured four outstanding individuals, each from a different walk of life, by giving mementos to them, on the occasion of Onam celebrations held in September, 1998.
Samajam has always been conscious about its social obligations and promptly comes forward to help the needy, under humanitarian considerations. Similarly Malayalees of Ahmedabad too responded overwhelmingly to the Blood Donation Camps, Eye Donation drives etc. conducted by the Samajam during the last couple of years. Asarwa ward of
Samajam conducting the camps regularly.
At Ward level, members organise Family Picnics and in some cases Get-togethers accompanied by Arts & Sports meets and Sadya, teaching of malayalam classes,quiz competition etc.
Samajam conducted various training programmes and Leadership Workshops. A one-day Training Programme in Management held at Indian Institute of Management in November, 1997, for selected members, was just a beginning.
AKS Naroda ward has already started its mahila wing as also youth wing under the leadership of Samajam'.
Improving the Railway facilities between Gujarat and Kerala has always been a priority agenda for Samajam. To meet with this objective, Office bearers of Samajam met the Honourable Railway Minister, Shri Nitish Kumar, in Ahmedabad on 1.7.1998 and gave a memorandum duly endorsed by Member of Parliament (Ahmedabad) Shri Harin Pathak
AKS Gen. Secretary & former President of FEGMA
when they met his excellency Shri K.R. Narayanan,
The President of India.
Even when the Konkan Railway was introduced, it was because of the continuous efforts by the Samajam that all the three Kerala bound trains were routed through Konkan Railway, right from the beginning. Samajam still strives to increase the frequency of the Kerala bound trains from Gujarat. Samajam leaders along with the office bearers of FEGMA(Federation of Gujarat Malayalee Associaton) met his excellency Mr. K.R.Narayanan, the President of Indiaand also Shri.P.M.Saiyed, the Dy.Speaker of Lok
Sabha, and narrated them of the inadequate travel facility between Gujarat and Kerala.
(L to R) AKS Gen. Secretary Mr. V. Mohan Kurup, President, Vejalpur Ward Mr. P.V. Balakrishnan &
Vice President Mr S.S. Nair when they met Dy. Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri P.M. Saiyed.(2nd from left)
Samajam's wards of Asarwa and City backed financially and also physically many needy persons whenever warranted.
Taking into account the border skirmishes at Kargil in 1999, Ahmedabad Kerala Samajam has decided to skip this year's Onam celebration and instead, diverted that fund for the Defence Personnel. AKS.therefore, with a silent prayer, for the dead and wounded Indian Soldiers of Kargil, sent a humble donation of Rs. 20151/- for the welfare of the families of Jawans and Officers who have fought and sacrificed their lives in Kargil.
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